- I tried on similar puffer coats at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic.
- I was pleasantly surprised by the Old Navy option, which was much cheaper than the others.
- Banana Republic's puffer coat was the most expensive — but also the most flattering.
As someone who lives in Chicago, I know how important a good winter coat is.
In a quest to find a high-quality puffer coat on a budget, I turned to three Gap Inc.-owned retailers — Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic — to compare their selections.
I compared the coats based on things like fabric quality, fit, and price. Here's how the shopping experience went.
My first stop was at Gap.
My first stop was at Gap, which has over 580 stores in the US and Asia.
The solo storefront was relatively large and well-organized. While perusing, I found a cute puffer coat that was available in black, taupe, and red options.
The Gap coat was a little oversized, but I liked the cropped design.
I decided to try on the $168 cropped duvet-wrap puffer jacket, which is made of 100% nylon.
The coat ran a bit large, and as much as I like a more spacious fit, my normal size looked a little boxy on my body. It also seemed like it would let cold air in on the bottom.
However, I liked the shorter cropped silhouette, and the material felt lightweight yet durable. I also liked the versatile style: I could easily wear it to grab espresso martinis with friends or go shopping at HomeGoods.
However, I was concerned it wouldn't be warm enough for Chicago's extremely cold winters.
Next, I took a trip to Old Navy.
My next stop was Old Navy, which has over 1,200 stores around the world.
When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of styles I found, although there weren't a ton of size options left. However, I grabbed a warm, cropped puffer coat to try on.
I would've purchased the Old Navy coat if it was available in a different color.
In the fitting room, I tried on Old Navy's oversized cropped puffer jacket, which originally retailed for $55, but was on sale for about $27 during my trip.
Even without the sale, it was much cheaper than the Gap option I tried on. However, it appeared to be made out of a similar material, with a 100% nylon coating.
Like the Gap option, it was cropped and oversized, but this time, the bottom of the coat hugged my body with an elastic band.
Despite these similarities, though, this coat looked much more casual than the Gap version. The hoodless design and light-blue color made it feel more like an athletic bomber jacket versus something I'd wear to go out.
Overall, this coat was a steal, and with its warm and flattering design, I probably would've bought it if it was available in a different color.
The option from Banana Republic was my favorite.
I tried on a short puffer coat in a dark-mocha color. Immediately, I noticed the $230 coat seemed higher quality than the others I'd tried on. It also looked really nice on me.
I loved the deep chocolate-brown color and the matte velvety sheen on the fabric — made of 50% polyester, 41% cotton, and 9% nylon — and the sturdy hardware made it look like it could be from an expensive designer brand. I also liked that the collar was removable, but I wished it came with a hood to make it more practical.
The puffer coat was light yet very warm. Seeing it had a water-resistant coating was another bonus, as I felt like it would keep me feeling warm and looking stylish through any cold weather situation.
I considered buying it, but at $230, I thought it was a little bit too expensive for a puffer coat — especially one without a hood. However, if it went on sale, I'd definitely consider purchasing it over the Gap or Old Navy options.
